Michael Gerard Bauer, born in 1955 in the Australian city of Brisbane, studied literature, economics and pedagogy. For many years he worked as a teacher and dreamed of writing a novel. "The Running Man" (2004, "Running Man", 2007), his highly acclaimed debut received the Catholic Youth Book Prize 2008.

With verve, charm and disarming comedy, Bauer portrays his protagonists in their childhood-youthful peculiarities and composes a wise, temporary story about bullying and civil courage. "Rare is the comforting wisdom of the one who laughs last, so exciting, touching, and also for adult readers," wrote Der Spiegel.